Tire-chaih



IVI. H. FORNESS.

TIRE CHAIN.

APPLICATION FILED FEB, 21. 191s.

Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

ff a* WW1/wow MARCUS H. FORNESS, OF TAYLOR, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH F. F. WILLETTE, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

Tran-CHAIN.

Application led February 21, 1918.

To all -wLof/n t may cnccrn Be it known that I, MARCUS H. F oRNnss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Taylor, in the county of Jackson and State otv lVisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tire-Chains, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tire chains and the principal object is to provide an improved .chain which will prevent side-slipping or skidding and spinning of the wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of diagonally arranged chains placed in pairs and having their ends connected lwith the side members and transversely arranged chains located between the pairs of diagonal chains.

Another object of the invent-ion is to provide a device of this character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation and one which can 'be 'manufactured and placed -upon the market at a minimum cost.

The inventionalso consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying i drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:-.

Figure l shows the application of my invention to a portion of a wheel.

Fig. 2 is a planview of part of my improved chain.

Fig. 3 is a like View of a modification. In these views l indicates the pair of circumferential extending members of the device which are adapted to be placed around the tire and have their ends connectedvto; gether in any suitable manner. 2 indicates a series of links carried by the side members, the links on one member being opposite the links of the other members as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. I prefer -to form these links from one piece of metal bent into loop form and having its ends arranged in parallel relation, said ends being hooked Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

Serial No. 218,596.

around a link of the side member. 3 indicates a chain extending in a diagonal manner from a link on one side member to the link of the neXt pair on the other side member.A l indicates another chain having one end col'mectcd with the other link of the pair and extending at right angles to thc chain 3 and having its other end connected with the remaining link of the first pair. These chains are suitably connected together where they cross each other such as one chain being passed through the middle link of the other chain. 5 indicates transverse chains carried by the ends of the diagonal chains. It will bc seen that a pair of these transverse chains' is located in the space formed by the outwardly extending ends of the diagonal chains.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3 a single transverse chain 5 is located in the space between the outwardly extending ends of the diagonal chains 4C' and the ends of said transverse chain is connected with the links 2. In other respects this modification is similar to that above described.

It will thus be seen that the chain is made up of a plurality of pairs of diagonally arranged chains with transverse chains between the'ends thereof. In this way a great number of projecting surfaces are formed for preventing the wheels from spinning while the diagonally arranged chains prevent side slipping of the wheel.

The chain is more particularly adapted for use on muddy roads where the ordinary chain' formed of transversely arranged links spaced apart will simply pass through the mud without affording a suflicient grip to the wheel to prevent the same from spinning.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in my novel chain the road-engaging elements to afford traction and to prevent sidewise slipping are arranged so as to rest against the tread portion only of the tire casing. In other words, the road-gripping means is spaced from the side' chains. It will also be apparent that in its entirety the chain is absolutely free of elastic or resilient means, being made up of continuous side chains of connected links throughout, road-gripping chains of connected links throughout and loop-shaped links arranged lrunsvvrsvly und interposed between nnfl vonneving the side vhnins und the 1'o:nl- `grippingr rhnins.

lVhnt l claim is:-

The herein described tire chain Colnprisinf,r continuons side chains of connected links` throughout, loop-Shaped links connected :it theirends to links of the side ehnins and extending laterally inward therefrom und arranged in pairs with the links oi' each pair in transverse alinement, transvverse rond-gripping chains disposed between vthe side chains and spaced apart, and di" Lemme ngonnl rond-gripping chainsnrrnned be` tween, und intersecting encli other )etween the transverse road-gripping chains; said transverse road-gripping Chains and di ngonal road-gripping ehnins being each formed throughout of connected links and being connected with the bights of the in Wardly extending loop-shaped links on the side chains, whereby said road-gripping chains are separated by intervening spaces from the Side chains.

In testimony whereofl I affix my signature. 25

MARCUS H. FORNESS. 

